By Josephine Oguntoyinbo
Bukola Olamona & Jubril Bada
A head of the 2023 general election, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in Ondo State yesterday held its primaries for House of Assembly to elect its 26 candidates.
The primaries which commenced late in some areas, however went peacefully in areas where our correspondents monitored.
No fewer than 15 members of the state Ninth Assembly contested for various elective positions across political parties.
The contestants are : Mr Bamidele Oleyelogun, Festus Adefiranye, Festus Akingbaso, Iroju Ogundeji, Oladiji Olamide, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, Toluwani Borokini, Abayomi Akinruntan.
Others are: Akintomide Akinrogunde, Olugbenga Omole, Ololade Gbegudu Taofeek Muhammed, Rasheed Elegbeleye and Favour Tomomowo
Four of the contestants were eyeing House of Representatives, while others want to retain their seats.
Report from across the state constituencies said the the primaries were very peaceful.
As at the time of filing this report, Toluwani Borokini and Oluwarotimi Abitogun, Akure constituencies one and two, have been declared elected respectively.
Seven aspirants in Akure Constituency 1 were cleared for the election.
The exercise commenced at 12.18pm. The election was witnessed by security agents and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Declaring Borokini as winner of the primary election, the APC Returning Officer for Akure constituency 1, Kayode Babayemi said Bosun Ogunleye scored 5 votes, Wale Alake 5 votes, Stephen Olatunde 2 votes, Olabanji Akinleye 1 vote, Samuel Jimoh 0 vote and Oyetunde Akinlolu 0 vote.
In Akure constituency 2, Abitogun emerged winner with 17 votes to defeat Oyebade Emmanuel who scored 7 votes out of total 24 votes casted.
In his acceptance speech, Oluwarotimi described the conduct of the primary as credible,free and fair, saying that it was well organised and arranged election.
He said:” My victory is a divine arrangement and with the support from my party leadership who have considered me qualified to represent Akure South Constituency 2 in the House of Assembly.I also thank the governor who has been supporting me and the party leadership”.
On his plans for his constituency, Abitogun posited that he has taken his time to look at their immediate needs in terms of infrastructure, adding that he will ensure that appropriate appropriation bills are legislated upon to ensure equal distribution of the state resources.
He said in his constituency, it’s an agrarian society,saying it is expected that they should be assisted in terms of agricultural inputs, adding also that the aged will also benefit from his plan by ensuring social packages for them.
As at the time of going to bed, in Ondo East, Oladiji Olamide was declared winner of the primary, defeating Seyi Olawumi.
